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The Steyr SSG 08 is an Austrian-made bolt-action sniper rifle, fed with 10 rounds of 7.62 NATO. It is equipped with a high power lens scope for long range engagement. Unlike the previous Steyr Scout, the SSG 08 has increased damage per shot, making it more lethal and reliable as the alternative for the AWP. However, it is heavier than the Scout and users have a running speed of 230.

Like its predecessor, the SSG 08 will always deliver instant headshot kills but does not deal enough damage for an instant kill if a shot to the body is scored. However, unlike the Scout, an unarmored stomach shot will usually kill a target instantly.

The SSG 08 is cheap and its rate of fire is little faster than the AWP. In early rounds, players who wish to snipe can buy this weapon. In later rounds, the SSG 08 is often used by players on the losing side or/and players who have insufficient money to purchase superior sniper rifles. Usually, the SSG 08 is replaced by more powerful (expensive, and heavier) sniper rifles like the AWP and semi-auto sniper rifles. However, a skilled SSG 08 user can suppress most assault rifles at long range and some other sniper rifles by maintaining their ability to score headshots on their enemies and being concealed with stealth or use of cover.

Strafing is essential when wielding this rifle. It is recommended to take cover when chambering a round in the rifle after firing a shot.

Scoring headshots is easier with this weapon due to its scope and accuracy (not comparable to the AWP). Be warned though that this is harder to implement once enemies are aware you are armed with this rifle, especially when engaging targets.

In competitive mode, players sometimes may not buy armor, especially when they are playing eco. You can aim for the stomach of enemies If targets are not wearing armor, as it will kill them instantly. If they do have armor, it will require another shot to kill them.

Carry a dependable sidearm for close-quarter engagements, any pistol that suits you will do fine. If the player hits a target but the enemy was not killed, a single shot from any moderate damage pistol is sufficient to eliminate him at close range. Usually, the Desert Eagle and CZ75 Auto are sufficient, although a P250 and Tec-9 can work as well.

It is also recommended to carry an HE grenade to finish off an enemy after connecting with a shot from long distances.

If possible, crouch and aim for the head of unaware enemies, the SSG 08 is highly accurate if the user crouches. If they are attempting to intercept your position, fire at the stomach or torso.

Avoid engaging groups of enemies. The SSG 08 does not provide enough firepower to counter more than two players, even when they are ranged. You can take one or two out first before vacating from a firing position if they are far enough.

Standing still and jumping while scoped gives you a 100% accuracy at the peak of your jump. Use this to kill enemies from behind tall cover (e.g. Outside on de_nuke)

Like its predecessor, the SSG 08 has good penetration abilities, it's possible to get double or even triple kills if a shot connects. If enemy targets are lined up, there is a good chance of scoring multi-kills if landing headshots on some or all targets.

Any automatic weapon is able to take out such snipers. Submachine guns, such as the MP7 or the P90, can easily counter users at close range.

Keep strafing as the sniper may have a hard time in hitting a moving target. This is important as SSG 08 users might target the head to score an instant kill.

Avoid lining up with your teammates as a single bullet from the SSG 08 can penetrate multiple targets.

Since the SSG 08 can kill a player instantly with an unarmored stomach, buying Kevlar is recommended for surviving the first shot.

Use a smoke grenade to cover vulnerable spots. The low rate of fire of the bolt-action SSG 08 will make its user less likely to spray bullets into a point with low to no visibility.

If an SSG 08 user has hit you but was unable to kill you, try to intercept his location quickly before he can fire another shot. If the assailant cannot be found, retreat and/or find cover. The sniper may wallbang, so take care in finding support.

The AWP can be effective against novice SSG 08 users, but be careful when facing experienced snipers with good aim. They may be capable in scoring headshots, while you stop and aim. Also, the SSG 08 has slightly faster rate of fire than AWP, so missing your first shot can sometimes spell your doom even when your weapon is superior.

Semi-auto sniper rifles can be used to eliminate SSG 08 users quickly, especially from mid-range. Avoid spraying bullets, fire slowly to reduce the cone of impact.

When combat has not occurred yet (usually, at the beginning of a round), snipers with this weapon may effectively camp and await enemies to exit out of enclosed pathways/doors. (Example: The tunnel passage of bombsite B in Dust2.) If a user is highly skilled, that player can eliminate an unaware, rushing target with a headshot. Throw a flashbang at suspected hiding spots, find another infiltration route, or avoid those areas completely.

While in Alpha and very early Beta versions, the SSG 08 had a flat grey color with a silver scope similar to its predecessor, the Schmidt Scout.

While in Beta as part of the May 25th update, the SSG 08 was fully remodeled and included a black body with a new scope texture.

While still in the Beta as part of the August 10th 2012 update, the black color was changed to a grey camouflage, bringing it back to bearing a slight resemblance to the Scout.

Unlike the Scout, the player will not gain a speed bonus when equipped with the SSG 08. However, this is compensated by the increased damage and an instant kill when a shot hits the stomach of unarmored players.

The SSG 08's animations are identical to the AWP. Originally however, the animations were different.

Before the Operation Vanguard update, the SSG-08 had no bonus awarded in Deathmatch mode unlike most of the other weapons. Furthermore, this sniper rifle was not automatically given when the "give random weapons on spawn" was enabled, but has since been fixed.

The SSG 08 is also informally known as the Scout as they are fairly similar.

Like the XM1014, the SSG 08's price has changed several times through patches, probably to make eco easier, especially for CTs.

Its former price tags were $2500, $2200, and $2000 before being reduced to just $1700, making it the cheapest sniper rifle in the Counter-Strike series.

Interestingly, no guns in real-life can be accurately fired when jumping, while the in-game version keeps its accuracy.

To fire all bullets of the SSG 08 (10 in the magazine, 90 spare), it will take 117 seconds of continuous fire, making it possible to run out of ammunition in a competitive round, but highly unlikely.